Automatic Millionaire? Know Your Latte Factor!

Everyone has a Latte Factor whether they want to admit it or not. If you are unaware of what the Latte Factor actually is, while somewhat of a misnomer as it pertains to more than just lattes, it amounts to the small trivial things we spend on everyday that can add up to an extremely large amount over time. Recognizing your latte factor and how much its actually costing your future will ultimately help you see the importance of changing the very habits that we act on and maybe even become an automatic millionaire. Currently there isn't one thing in particular in my life that I can call my Latter Factor as I am actively working on changing my spending habits. However not to long ago (less than 2 months ago) I would admit to gel manicures being my vice... There is a reoccurring misconception which I have come to realize after reading The Automatic Millionaire and that is that people often think building wealth is a function of our income, when in reality it is more so directly correlated to our spending habits (Check out more about this here)!  Lets do the math as it relates to Gel Manicures. I will throw in the pedicure as well because who doesn't opt for the mani pedi combo!

The average Gel Manicure last 2 weeks which means you typically find yourself at the nail salon twice a month. The average cost of a gel mani is about $25 and with the gel mani pedi combo a trip to the salon will typically land you at $55 per visit plus tip, so lets say $65 per visit total.

Gel Mani/Pedi = $65
Gel Mani/Pedi Cost Per Month = $130 (approx pending 4 or 5 weeks in month) 
Gel Mani/Pedi Cost Per Year = $1,560 (approx number) 

$1,560 per year... and that is just around your mani/pedi combo. Un-chipped nails and pedicured toes are an important part of working girls life, I get it and I wont lie, I love a good mani pedi from time to time! Just think about what you may be over spending on and sit down and do the math. Maybe it is a latte a day, or eating lunch out Monday through Friday or frivolous spending online shopping... I challenge you to find out your latte factor and see how much you could be saving. 

It really comes down to what you're saving for and setting a goal to make it happen. I've talked about it in the past re a simple savings trick throughout the year in 52 Weeks of Saving!

While the tone of the book seems to be "Cut out the $4 latte and you will wind up rich" which is a bit far fetched if you ask me and has even caught some heat around the web, knowing what you're excessively spending on or what your spending habits are is helpful nonetheless. If you want to know more about the Latte Factor I'm talking about, I recommend you read The Automatic Millionaire you will learn all about how to pay yourself first and more! 

I Got It For My Mama: Mothers Day Gift Guide

Moms should be celebrated all year round, but picking out the right gift for your Mom on Mothers Day can get tricky! Weather you're honoring your own mom or maybe motherhood among your friends or even moms near and far, taking a moment to honor the women who give so much love day in and day out is important. Sending something sparkly or sweet or surprising her with an unexpected visit (I love you mom and we will celebrate when Im home soon) she will surely appreciate every moment of it!  With less than a week to go its not too late to get your mom something special and I have picked out a few possibilities to guide your gift giving this Mothers Day. 

1.) My Mom Rocks Wine Glass - Rock your moms world with a stylish stemless vino glass. 
2.) Yves Saint Laurent Beaute. Rouge Pur Couture Red lipstick #whynot
3.) Stella McCartney Lace Trimmed Silk Robe With summer around the corner every woman especially moms need the perfect silk robe to fit the season. 
4.) Garden in a Bag Beautiful zinnias which are sure to flourish for far longer than any curated arrangement from the local florist.  
5.) Daniel Wellington Classic Watch - Classic time piece for every moms collection.
6.) Henri Bendel Lacquered Jewelry Box - Stylish jewel box is always a fun gift!

Goals - May the 4th Be With You

glitter GUIDE always an inspiring start to my day

Monthly goal setting is such a refreshing way to keep yourself accountable. By setting SMART goals you are bound to succeed. May is going to be a busy month! With each weekend packed full of events from an invite to the Junior Leagues Los Angeles, Casino Angeleno the bachelors annual Westerner to a wedding and a baby shower on consecutive weekends and both out of town... Meeting my goal this month will be a challenge, but nonetheless a challenge I am up to! May the 4th be with me! 

MAY GOALS

1.)Try 1 New Recipe a Week 

Last night I tried out the Chicken Enchilada skillet recipe from Damn Delicious and it was boyfriend approved and damn delicious! I am not a fantastical food photog, but I will see what I can muster up when it comes to coverage of the recipes I try out this May. Stay tuned...

2.)Fall In Love With Running 
Last month I set the bar high for myself with a goal of running 15-20 miles a week. This month I am going to take a step back and set a goal to fall in love with running and will let you know how it pans out. 

3.) Read Smarter 
Ever wish you could read books at a blazing speed? Me too! In order to control that dictating little voice in my head that leaves me reading every word from left to right sometimes more than once, I will dedicate a certain point in my day to zeroing in on my reading material and never read less than a chapter at a time. Simple as it may sound, this is my first step I am taking towards reading smarter.    

4.)Quench My Thirst the Right Way
With water! For the next 31 days I will abstain from ANY beverages during my day to day other than water. No diet coke! No diet ginger ale! No juice! Wine and all of the above after hours is still on the table (I will save abstaining there for another adventure).  

Going No-Chella: 5 Things to Do in L.A. This Weekend

Come for Coachella, but party at #Nochella, now that's something I can get down with! While the line up is enticing and the fashion scene is hot, I am in no way in the fast lane on a trip to Coachella. NoChella on the other hand, count me in! Better yet, NoChella here in L.A. and can I just say, my commute down Wilshire blvd. last Friday as well as this morning was simply beautiful! Brokechella, ChouchChella or Coachella itslef however you frame it up, here are 5 Things to do this weekend in LA as Cochella whisks away some of the cities finest!

Be a Tourist in Your Own Town

source We Heart It

Santa Monica Pier, Hollywood and Highland, Disneyland heck Sprinkles Cupcakes! LA is your oyster this weekend!

    Take a Hike

credit Friends of Runyon Canyon

LA offers up some prime real-estate to both hike and run. However with the unfortunate downside of a fitness crazed city all locations become overwhelmingly populated during a weekend with good weather. With #NoChella in full effect, why not go for a hike this weekend without the rest of LA. Runyon Canyon, Santa Monica Stairs, Baldwin Hills Scenic Outlook… this is your time! Hike in peace!

   Host Your Own #NoChella Streaming Party

more Style Me drink recipes here 

With weekend 1 in the can, you can optimize your “steaming” efforts to include the bands of your choice. Stock your home bar, create a custom cocktail maybe a Mexican Mule subbing the vodka for Tequila. Tell guests to come dressed in their best festival attire (best dressed… wins!?) And then document it all via social media because if its not on Instagram, Snapp Chat, Twitter of Facebook it didn’t happen right?! And dont forget the hashtag #Nochella2015

   Go to The Grove

For more check out Twenty Four at Heart

Because retail therapy is never out of the question and The Grove is a great place when you can actually find a parking spot of walk without being pummeled by strollers or the trolley.

   Go For a Drive

source

Hop in your car and take drive down PCH, up to the Griffith Observatory or even just across town. Drive all those places you have otherwise avoid because with a mass clearing of about 100,000 people (give or take a few) you may actually be able to drive those 7-10 beautiful miles in less than 45 minutes.    

April Goals

Goals at large are a good thing to have and in theory make life more approachable (anything you can check off a list as done is an accomplishment no matter how big or small). April is upon us, so I figured what better time than a beginning of a month (even if it is April Fools Day...) to take a few minutes and set forth some personal goals.  Simply put setting goals for myself I believe will allow me to become a better version on myself and the best way to do this is by setting attainable goals. So for the month of April I have set the following 4 milestones for myself:

1: Finish & Read – I have been slowly dabbling in what I will call a financial encouragement book which I plan to finish in the next week (by 1/7) And start and finish the book currently on my night stand.

2: Journal/Blog - With the recent effort to get blog on track (ha! get it, blog on track), I plan to start off with a post a week and see where I can take my efforts from there... 

3: Do What You Love - And I love DIY! I plan to add one DIY project to my repertoire this month and whatever that may be, I plan to share it with you! 

4: Run - Run more, fun faster and run longer! I am going to start with the run more and commit to running between 15-20 miles from Mon-Fri.